Roundabout



March 9, 1965 J. A. DALEIDEN ROUNDABOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1962 Joseph A. Da/eiden INVENTOR.

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March 9, 1965 J. A. DALEIDEN 3,172,659

ROUNDABOUT Filed Oct. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Joseph A. Dale/den l N VEN TOR.

BY MW,

United States Patent O 3,172,659 ROUNDABOUT Joseph A. Daleiden, 309 S. Low St., Bloomington, El. Filed Oct. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 229,893 Claims. (Cl. 27233) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in roundabouts particularly but not necessarily, for playgrounds, parks, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of this character comprising novel propulsion means, operable by the riders, for rotating the device in either direction.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved occupant-actuated roundabout of the aforementioned character comprising a unique frame structure for carrying the manual propulsion mechanism.

Still another important object of the invention is to pro vide a roundabout of the type comprising a plurality of inwardly-facing seats, wherein said seats are pitched or inclined in a manner to counteract the usual centrifugal force to which the occupants are subjected when the machine is in motion, thus promoting safety.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved occupant-propelled roundabout which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a roundabout constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view in vertical section on an enlarged scale through one end of the operating lever and link or rod connections, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in top plan illustrating, in dotted lines, the movement of the operating mechanism.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a tubular or hollow center post or standard 7 of suitable metal which rises from a fixed base or foundation 8. The post 7, which may also be of any desired dimensions, comprises a reduced tubular upper portion or shaft 9 providing a shoulder 10. Fixed as by welding in the upper portion of the tubular center post or shaft 7 is an upstanding solid stub shaft extension 11.

Journaled on the shaft 9 and resting on the upper end of the post 7 is a hub assembly 13. The hub 13 includes centrally apertured upper and lower circular metallic plates or disks 14 and 15, respectively. The hub 13 further includes suitable ball bearing assemblies 16 on the shaft 9 between the plates 14 and 15, the lower bearing assembly resting on the shoulder 10, as shown. Nuts 48 with a washer therebetween are threaded on the upper portion of the shaft 9 over the top bearing assembly 16.

Fixed on the hub 13 and radiating therefrom is a plurality of metallic arms 17 in the form of inverted channel bars with plates 12 in the lower portions thereof. The

inner end portions of the arms 17 are fixed between the plates 14 and 15, said arms tapering to their outer or free ends. Brackets 18 are mounted on the outer end portions of the arms 17. Inwardly and downwardly inclined seats 19 are mounted on the brackets 18.

Mounted on the upper plate 14 of the hub 13 is a housing or casing 20. The extension 11 of the shaft 9 extends upwardly into the housing 20 and has fixed thereon in said housing a stationary gear 21. Iournaled in vertically aligned bearings 22 which are provided therefor on the plates 14 and 15 is a shaft 23 which parallels the shaft 9 in spaced relation thereto. Fixed on the shaft 23 in the housing 29 and meshed with the stationary gear 21 is a comparatively small gear 24. The shaft 23 extends up wardly through and beyond the housing 20 and has fixed on its upper end portion a crank arm 25. On the free end portion of the arm 25 is an upstanding pin or the like 26 in the form of a bolt. A horizontal metallic disk 27 is journaled on the pin 26 between cylindrical spacers 2S.

Mounted on the outer portions of the arms 17 and accessible from the seats 19 are vertical brackets 29 of suitable metal, which are fabricated and comprise side plates 30 of substantially the shape shown. Mounted on the side plates 30 are upper and lower front plates 31 and 32, respectively. The plates 30 are riveted at 33 to the sides of the arms 17. The plates 31 and 32 are spaced from each other for the passage of the arms 17 therebetween. Mounted transversely on the lower end portions of the vertical brackets 29 are footrests 34 for the occupants of the seats 19.

Journaled in vertically aligned bearings 35 which are provided therefor in the tapered upper portions of the brackets 29 are vertical shafts 36. Horizontally swingable hand levers 37 are mounted at intermediate points on the upper end portions of the shafts 36. Upstanding handles or grips 38 are provided on the end portions of the levers 37.

Each of the levers 37 includes an inwardly angularly extending end portion 39. Operating rods or pitmans 40 have their outer end portions operatively connected to the extensions 39 of the levers 37 by socket connections 41. Suitable lubricant fittings 42 may be provided for the joints 41.

One of the operating links, rods or pitmans 40 has its inner end operatively connected to the disk 27 for vertical swinging movement only through the medium of a hinge connection 43. The connection 43 includes a tubular T- head on the inner end of the respective rod 49, said T- head being journaled on a pivot bolt 45 which is provided therefor between apertured upstanding cars 46 on the disk 27. Thus, the disk 27 is retained against rotation or changing its position relatively to the operating levers 37. The inner ends of the other rods 40 are pivotally Zgnnected to the periphery of the disk 27 as indicated at It is believed that the operation of the improved merrygo-round or roundabout will be readily understood from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the riders occupy the seats 19 with their feet resting on the bars 34 astraddle the brackets 29 while gripping handles 38 with both hands. Then, by oscillating the levers 37, the disk 27, through the rods 40, is caused to orbit in the path shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6 of the drawing. Thus, the gear 24 is rotated and caused to travel around the stationary gear 21 for rotating the hub 13 with the arms 17, etc., thereon. Of course, the gears 21 and 24 may be of any desired ratio. The inward inclination of the seats 19 causes the occupants to lean inwardly with their feet resting on the bars 34 while holding the grips 38 in a manner to neutralize centrifugal force when the machine is in operation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A roundabout comprising a post, a horizontal hub rotatably mounted on the upper portion of said post, arms radiating from the hub, seats on the outer end portions of said arm each including a forward portion, an upstanding actuating shaft journalled on each of said arms and disposed forwardly of the corresponding seat, first and second crank arm means operatively connected to said post and each of said actuating shafts respectively, connecting rod means operatively connecting each of said second crank arm means to said first crank arm means, said second crank arm means constituting hand levers mounted on the upper end portions of each of said actuating shafts and projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof and including handgrip portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 including vertically elongated brackets mounted at intermediate points on the arms inwardly of the seats, footrests on the lower por tions of the brackets, said shafts projecting upwardly through the upper ends of the corresponding brackets,

4 said hand levers being mounted on said shafts above the upper ends of the corresponding brackets.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said arms are radially outwardly tapered inverted channel members having inner end portions fixedly secured to said hub.

4. The combination of claim 3 including vertically elongated brackets mounted at intermediate points on the arms inwardly of the seats, footrests on the lower portions of the brackets, said shafts projecting upwardly through the upper ends of the corresponding brackets, said hand levers being mounted on said shafts above the upper ends of the corresponding brackets, said brackets being generally U-shaped in horizontal section and defining bight portions having openings therein at intermediate points receiving the free end portions of the tapered channel members.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the forward portions of said seats face radially inwardly and are downwardly inclined.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A ROUNDABOUT COMPRISING A POST, A HORIZONTAL HUB ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID POST, ARMS RADIATING FROM THE HUB, SEATS ON THE OUTER END PORTIONS OF SAID ARM EACH INCLUDING A FORWARD PORTION, AN UPSTANDING ACTUATING SHAFT JOURNALLED ON EACH OF SAID ARMS AND DISPOSED FORWARDLY OF THE CORRESPONDING SEAT, FIRST AND SECOND CRANK ARM MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID POST AND EACH OF SAID ACTUATING SHAFTS RESPECTIVELY, CONNECTING ROD MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING EACH OF SAID SECOND CRANK ARM MEANS TO SAID FIRST CRANK ARM MEANS, SAID SECOND CRANK ARMS MEANS CONSTITUTING HAND LEVERS MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END PORTIONS OF EACH OF SAID ACTUATING SHAFTS AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF AND INCLUDING HANDGRIP PORTIONS. 